Wow. I mean, I know the Toronto Sun is pretty out there.. but calling for a coroner's inquest because someone cycling on a sidewalk hits a pedestrian (who later died)? And, saying that it's necessary that the inquest be done because Toronto City Council is pursuing "cycling friendly initiatives"?
That seems a little weird, considering a pedestrian dies after being hit by a car once every two weeks in Toronto [from 2004 stats]
- Whatever the precise circumstances of Jiang's death, too many cyclists think they can pick and choose between riding and speeding on roads and sidewalks at will.
Or that they can obey the rules of the road until they come to a red light or stop sign, then ignore the law by riding right through them.
Just as cyclists need protection from reckless motorists, so pedestrians need protection from reckless cyclists.
That's why an inquest into Jiang's death -- not to lay blame but to determine how she died and recommend how similar deaths can be prevented in future -- is needed.
With the police expressing concern about the increasing frequency and seriousness of accidents involving bikes, it's time for a critical examination of this issue, and what the rules of the road --and sidewalks -- should be for cyclists, including how laws can be effectively enforced.
That's what we need in Toronto -- before another pedestrian dies or is seriously injured on the sidewalk.
